scholarly journals Visual preference for social vs. non-social images in young children with autism spectrum disorders. An eye tracking study

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. e0252795
Author(s):  
Julia Vacas ◽  
Adoración Antolí ◽  
Araceli Sánchez-Raya ◽  
Carolina Pérez-Dueñas ◽  
Fátima Cuadrado
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Eye Tracking ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Circumscribed Interests ◽  
Object A ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Social Images ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are associated to social attention (SA) impairments. A gaze bias to non-social objects over faces has been proposed as an early marker of ASD. This bias may be related to the concomitant circumscribed interests (CI), which question the role of competing objects in this atypical visual behavior. The aim of this study was to compare visual attention patterns to social and non-social images in young children with ASD and matched typical controls (N = 36; age range 41–73 months) assessing the role of emotion in facial stimuli and the type of competing object. A paired preference task was designed pairing happy, angry, and neutral faces with two types of objects (related or not related to autism CI). Eye tracking data were collected, and three indexes were considered as dependent variables: prioritization (attentional orientation), preference, and duration (sustained attention). Results showed that both groups had similar visual pattern to faces (prioritization, more attention and longer visits to faces paired with objects non-related to their CI); however, the ASD group attended to faces significantly less than controls. Children with ASD showed an emotional bias (late orientation to angry faces and typical preference for happy faces). Finally, objects related to their CI captured attention in both groups, significantly reducing SA in children with ASD. Atypical SA is present in young children with ASD regardless the competing non-social object. Identifying strengths and difficulties in SA in this population may have substantial repercussion for early diagnosis, intervention, and ultimately prognosis.

Disfluency Characteristics Observed in Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Preliminary Report

2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 42-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura W. Plexico ◽  
Julie E. Cleary ◽  
Ashlynn McAlpine ◽  
Allison M. Plumb
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Young Children With Autism ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Developmental Stuttering

This descriptive study evaluates the speech disfluencies of 8 verbal children between 3 and 5 years of age with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Speech samples were collected for each child during standardized interactions. Percentage and types of disfluencies observed during speech samples are discussed. Although they did not have a clinical diagnosis of stuttering, all of the young children with ASD in this study produced disfluencies. In addition to stuttering-like disfluencies and other typical disfluencies, the children with ASD also produced atypical disfluencies, which usually are not observed in children with typically developing speech or developmental stuttering. (Yairi & Ambrose, 2005).

scholarly journals Parent-reported feeding and swallowing difficulties of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (aged 3 to 5 years) compared to typically developing peers: a South African study

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 524-532
Author(s):  
Mari Viviers ◽  
Marguerite Jongh ◽  
Lindsay Dickonson ◽  
Roxanne Malan ◽  
Tamaryn Pike
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Young Children ◽  
South African ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Swallowing Difficulties ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

Background: Research on aspects of neurodevelopment such as feeding and swallowing difficulties in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is limited in low and middle income countries such as South Africa. Method: A descriptive comparative group design was used to investigate feeding and swallowing difficulties of young children with ASD in comparison to typically developing peers. The Brief Autism Mealtime Behavioural Inventory (BAMBI) was used. Results: Findings indicated a significant difference in the severity of feeding and swallowing difficulties between the two groups. Difficulties such as food selectivity, sensory processing difficulties, oral-motor difficulties and symptoms of dysphagia were iden- tified. The findings added to the existing global literature on feeding and swallowing difficulties in young children with ASD but provide a unique first perspective on these difficulties in South African children with ASD. Conclusion: Findings also highlighted the use of the BAMBI as an adjunct clinical tool to encourage comprehensive parental report during feeding assessment in this population. Cultural adaptation of the BAMBI for future use in African countries should be considered. A better local understanding of the parental perspective on the multidimensional nature of the feeding and swallowing difficulties displayed by young children with ASD was obtained. Keywords: Parent-reported feeding; swallowing difficulties; Autism Spectrum Disorders; South Africa. 

Providing Interventions for Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

2011 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 321-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phillip S. Strain ◽  
Ilene S. Schwartz ◽  
Erin E. Barton
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Future Research ◽  
The Past ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Comprehensive Service ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
The One

Over the past 25 years, we have learned a great deal about the diagnosis, treatment, and impact of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) on young children and their families. The authors describe several overarching themes that have emerged in the educational research on young children with ASD. The focus of their article is on education-based research because public education remains the one comprehensive service to which all children with ASD are entitled to free of charge. Four themes (i.e., inclusion, systematic and effective instruction, intensity, and social context) are described in terms of the major findings and impact on policy and practices. The authors conclude with a summary of implications for future research for the next 25 years.

scholarly journals Autism Spectrum Disorders and the Gut Microbiota

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 521 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonella Fattorusso ◽  
Lorenza Di Genova ◽  
Giovanni Dell’Isola ◽  
Elisabetta Mencaroni ◽  
Susanna Esposito
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Gut Dysbiosis ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

In recent years, there has been an emerging interest in the possible role of the gut microbiota as a co-factor in the development of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), as many studies have highlighted the bidirectional communication between the gut and brain (the so-called “gut-brain axis”). Accumulating evidence has shown a link between alterations in the composition of the gut microbiota and both gastrointestinal and neurobehavioural symptoms in children with ASD. The aim of this narrative review was to analyse the current knowledge about dysbiosis and gastrointestinal (GI) disorders in ASD and assess the current evidence for the role of probiotics and other non-pharmacological approaches in the treatment of children with ASD. Analysis of the literature showed that gut dysbiosis in ASD has been widely demonstrated; however, there is no single distinctive profile of the composition of the microbiota in people with ASD. Gut dysbiosis could contribute to the low-grade systemic inflammatory state reported in patients with GI comorbidities. The administration of probiotics (mostly a mixture of Bifidobacteria, Streptococci and Lactobacilli) is the most promising treatment for neurobehavioural symptoms and bowel dysfunction, but clinical trials are still limited and heterogeneous. Well-designed, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials are required to validate the effectiveness of probiotics in the treatment of ASD and to identify the appropriate strains, dose, and timing of treatment.

Role of the gut-brain axis in the eating behavior of children with autism spectrum disorders

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Justyna Siwek ◽  
Aleksandra Kawala-Janik ◽  
Piotr Walecki
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Digestive System ◽  
Bacterial Flora ◽  
Food Products ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

AbstractIntroduction:The occurrence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has significantly increased in the last few years. One of the common problems in this group are eating disorders and ailments from the gastrointestinal systems. According to some studies, these problems have a significant impact on the occurrence and severity of symptoms in the neurological system, so it is crucial to increase the attention paid on the role of diet in the treatment of this disease. One of the theories connects ASD with disorders of the digestive system and the intestinal bacterial flora. This theory is based on the gut-brain axis, which means the interaction between the gastrointestinal and nervous systems.Objectives:To demonstrate the differences in behavior habits, interest in nutrition, and frequency of consumption of food products between children suffering from ASD and healthy children.Materials and methods:The study was conducted among 44 children suffering from ASD and 33 healthy children as a control group. Data were collected using a questionnaire that was specially designed for this study. The questionnaire contained questions about eating habits and the frequency of consumption of selected food products.Results:Parents of healthy children showed more interest in their children’s way of feeding and nutritional recommendations compared to parents of children with ASD (4% and 11.3%, respectively). In addition, 24.3% more children with ASD consulted with a nutritionist compared to the control group. Complaints of the digestive system were 21.1% more likely by children with ASD. Children suffering from ASD were characterized by a higher intake of red meat and giblets and less frequent consumption of milk and milk products compared to the control group. There were no statistically significant differences between the study group and the control group in terms of frequency of consumption of products, which are the source of gluten, artificial food additives-preservatives, and artificial colors.Conclusions:There are differences in the habits and eating behaviors and the frequency of consumption of selected food products between a group of children with ASD and a group of healthy children.

scholarly journals Increased Anti-Phospholipid Antibodies in Autism Spectrum Disorders

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milo Careaga ◽  
Robin L. Hansen ◽  
Irva Hertz-Piccotto ◽  
Judy Van de Water ◽  
Paul Ashwood
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Repetitive Behaviors ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterized by impairments in communication, social interactions, and repetitive behaviors. While the etiology of ASD is complex and likely involves the interplay of genetic and environmental factors, growing evidence suggests that immune dysfunction and the presence of autoimmune responses including autoantibodies may play a role in ASD. Anti-phospholipid antibodies are believed to occur from both genetic and environmental factors and have been linked to a number of neuropsychiatric symptoms such as cognitive impairments, anxiety, and repetitive behaviors. In the current study, we investigated whether there were elevated levels of anti-phospholipid antibodies in a cross-sectional analysis of plasma of young children with ASD compared to age-matched typically developing (TD) controls and children with developmental delays (DD) other than ASD. We found that levels of anti-cardiolipin,β2-glycoprotein 1, and anti-phosphoserine antibodies were elevated in children with ASD compared with age-matched TD and DD controls. Further, the increase in antibody levels was associated with more impaired behaviors reported by parents. This study provides the first evidence for elevated production of anti-phospholipid antibodies in young children with ASD and provides a unique avenue for future research into determining possible pathogenic mechanisms that may underlie some cases of ASD.

scholarly journals The Role of Face Familiarity in Eye Tracking of Faces by Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders

2008 ◽  
Vol 38 (9) ◽  
pp. 1666-1675 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsey Sterling ◽  
Geraldine Dawson ◽  
Sara Webb ◽  
Michael Murias ◽  
Jeffrey Munson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Eye Tracking ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

scholarly journals Emotional vs. Neutral Face Exploration and Habituation: An Eye-Tracking Study of Preschoolers With Autism Spectrum Disorders

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aurélie Bochet ◽  
Martina Franchini ◽  
Nada Kojovic ◽  
Bronwyn Glaser ◽  
Marie Schaer
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Eye Tracking ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Emotional Faces ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Equivalent Time ◽  
Neutral Face ◽  
Pathological Development ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Emotional Face

Diminished orienting to social stimuli, and particularly to faces, is a core feature of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Impaired face processing has been linked to atypical attention processes that trigger a cascade of pathological development contributing to impaired social communication. The aim of the present study is to explore the processing of emotional and neutral faces using an eye-tracking paradigm (the emotional faces task) with a group of 24 children with ASD aged 6 and under and a group of 22 age-matched typically developing (TD) children. We also measure habituation to faces in both groups based on the presentation of repeated facial expressions. Specifically, the task consists of 32 pairs of faces, a neutral face and an emotional face from the same identity, shown side by side on the screen. We observe differential exploration of emotional faces in preschoolers with ASD compared with TD. Participants with ASD make fewer fixations to emotional faces than their TD peers, and the duration of their first fixation on emotional faces is equivalent to their first fixation on neutral faces. These results suggest that emotional faces may be less interesting for children with ASD. We also observe a habituation process to neutral faces in both children with ASD and TD, who looked less at neutral faces during the last quarter of the task compared with the first quarter. By contrast, TD children show increased interest in emotional faces throughout the task, looking slightly more at emotional faces during the last quarter of the task than during the first quarter. Children with ASD demonstrate neither habituation nor increased interest in the changing emotional expressions over the course of the task, looking at the stimuli for equivalent time throughout the task. A lack of increased interest in emotional faces may suggest a lack of sensitivity to changes in expression in young children with ASD.

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